Attachment producing anamorphic effect

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for producing non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations. Such aberrations may be created by a removable attachment that may be attached to another lens, such as a spherical lens. Aberrations that appear to reproduce an anamorphic effect may be produced, yet the underlying camera system may remain a spherical camera system, and the capture mode may remain non-anamorphic.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/894,764 filed Feb. 12, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,401,634,which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Camera imaging systems used in the film industry and the like havetraditionally captured images in an anamorphic format. The anamorphicformat involves compression of the optical image being captured so thata large field of view with a large aspect ratio could be captured at asmaller area. This allows image quality to remain high, but cost andspace savings to be realized without using a larger imaging format. Theanamorphic images that are captured are later projected through ananamorphic projection lens to un-squeeze the image at a larger aspectratio for display.

The anamorphic image capture process, however, introduces aberrations inthe captured images that have a distinctive cinematographic look. Suchaberrations include optical flare, coma, and other aberrations thatcharacterize the appearance of an anamorphic capture.

The advent of digital image capture systems has increased the desire ofindividuals to use anamorphic format and anamorphic lenses. However,spherical lens capture systems are typically less complex and expensiveto construct and maintain than anamorphic systems, thus reducing theavailability of anamorphic systems.

The nostalgia present with an anamorphic capture process, however,remains with many directors, cinematographers, and other individuals.Many individuals appreciate the aberrations that are present with ananamorphic image capture process and seek to introduce such aberrationsin their image capture. Other non-film industry individuals also seek tointroduce such aberrations into their images (e.g., amateurphotographers, users of camera phones, etc.).

Digital and post-production processes have been developed to digitallyintroduce such aberrations into captured images. Such digitalaberrations, however, are off-putting to many and do not represent anauthentic effort at recreating the aberrations present in an anamorphiccapture system.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methodsfor producing non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations. Suchaberrations may be created by a removable attachment that may beattached to another lens, such as a spherical lens. As such, aberrationsthat appear to reproduce an anamorphic effect may be produced, yet theunderlying camera system may remain a spherical camera system, and thecapture mode may remain non-anamorphic. The camera systems may not onlybe filming camera systems, but may extend to a variety of types ofcamera systems (e.g., still photography camera systems, mobile devices,among others).

A removable attachment for a camera system is disclosed herein. Theremovable attachment may comprise a lens group including at least twocylindrical lens elements. The lens group may be configured to inducenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in a spherical lens thatdoes not have any optical aberrations. A housing may be coupled to thelens group and may be configured to removably attach to a camera lenssuch that the lens group is positioned between an object space and thecamera lens when the housing is attached to the camera lens.

A camera lens system is disclosed herein. The camera lens system mayinclude a spherical lens and a removable attachment. The removableattachment may include a lens group including at least two cylindricallens elements, the lens group being configured to inducenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in the spherical lens. Ahousing may be coupled to the lens group and may be configured toremovably attach to the spherical lens such that the lens group ispositioned between an object space and the spherical lens when thehousing is attached to the spherical lens.

A method is disclosed herein. The method may comprise providing aremovable attachment. The removable attachment may include a lens groupincluding at least two cylindrical lens elements. The removableattachment may include a housing coupled to the lens group andconfigured to removably attach to a lens such that the lens group ispositioned between an object space and the lens when the housing isattached to the lens. The method may include inducing, with the lensgroup, non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in the lens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the systems, apparatuses, and methods asdisclosed herein will become appreciated as the same become betterunderstood with reference to the specification, claims, and appendeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective assembly view of a removable attachmentfor a camera system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the removable attachment that isshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross sectional view of the removableattachment that is shown in FIG. 1 along line A-A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side exterior view of the removable attachment thatis shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a cylindrical lens element accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of the cylindrical lens element that isshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a detail view of the positioning feature that isshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a cylindrical lens element accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear view of the cylindrical lens element that isshown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a detail view of the positioning feature that isshown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates the removable attachment shown in FIG. 1 attached toa spherical lens according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a rear view of a mobile device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a detail view of a camera system of the mobiledevice of FIG. 12 including the removable attachment of FIG. 1 attachedthereon.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic of a spherical lens according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a spot diagram analysis of the spherical lens thatis shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates a ray trace analysis of the spherical lens that isshown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic of a lens group utilized in combinationwith the spherical lens that is shown in FIG. 14 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a spot diagram analysis of the lens group utilizedin combination with the spherical lens in FIG. 17 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates a ray trace analysis of the lens group utilized incombination with the spherical lens in FIG. 17 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic of a lens group utilized in combinationwith the spherical lens that is shown in FIG. 14 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 illustrates a spot diagram analysis of the lens group utilizedin combination with the spherical lens in FIG. 20 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates a ray trace analysis of the lens group utilized incombination with the spherical lens in FIG. 20 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates a schematic of a lens group utilized in combinationwith the spherical lens that is shown in FIG. 14 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates a spot diagram analysis of the lens group utilizedin combination with the spherical lens in FIG. 20 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates a ray trace analysis of the lens group utilized incombination with the spherical lens in FIG. 20 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 illustrates a schematic of a lens group utilized in combinationwith the spherical lens that is shown in FIG. 14 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 illustrates a spot diagram analysis of the lens group utilizedin combination with the spherical lens in FIG. 26 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 illustrates a ray trace analysis of the lens group utilized incombination with the spherical lens in FIG. 26 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 illustrates a reference diagram.

FIGS. 30A and 30B illustrate a perspective schematic view of anembodiment of a lens group according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 31A illustrates front schematic view of the embodiment of the lensgroup shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B.

FIG. 31B illustrates a side schematic view of the embodiment of the lensgroup in the configuration shown in FIG. 31A.

FIG. 32A illustrates a front schematic view of the embodiment of thelens group shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B.

FIG. 32B illustrates a side schematic view of the embodiment of the lensgroup in the configuration shown in FIG. 32A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective assembly view of a removable attachment10 for a camera system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The removable attachment 10 includes a lens group 12. Theremovable attachment 10 includes a housing 14.

The lens group 12 includes cylindrical lens elements 16, 18. Cylindricallens element 16 may include a cylindrical lens surface 20 that ispositive (convex with regard to the body of the lens element 16) andfaces towards an object space. Object space is space including objectsor areas to be imaged through the removable attachment 10. Cylindricallens element 16 may include lens surface 22 (apparent in FIG. 5) that isplanar. Cylindrical lens surface 20 and lens surface 22 face oppositedirections.

A recess 21 may be provided with cylindrical lens element 16 to allowfor mating with the housing 14. The recess 21 may extendcircumferentially around the cylindrical lens element 16, and may beconfigured to mate with a lip 23 of the housing 14.

The cylindrical lens element 16 may include a positioning feature 25.The positioning feature 25 may comprise a notch as shown in FIG. 6.

Cylindrical lens element 18 may include a cylindrical lens surface 24(visible in FIGS. 3 and 8) that is negative (concave with regard to thebody of the lens element 18) and faces opposite the object space. Thecylindrical lens element 18 may also include a lens surface 26 that isplanar. The lens surface 24 and lens surface 26 face opposite directionsfrom each other.

A recess 27 may be provided with the cylindrical lens element 18 toallow for mating with the housing 14. The recess 27 may extendcircumferentially around the cylindrical lens element 18.

The cylindrical lens element 18 may include a positioning feature 29.The positioning feature 29 may comprise a notch as shown in FIG. 9.

The cylindrical lens element 16 and cylindrical lens element 18 may bepositioned adjacent to each other within the housing 14. The cylindricallens elements 16 and 18 may be positioned such that planar lens surfaces22, 26 face each other. A shim 30 may separate the cylindrical lenselements 16 and 18 from contact with one another. The shim 30 may bepositioned between and sandwiched between the cylindrical lens elements16 and 18 at the outer periphery of the lens elements 16 and 18. Theshim 30 may serve to increase the presence of optical flares induced bythe lens group 12 and increase the intensity of the non-rotationallysymmetric optical aberrations induced by the lens group 12. Increasingthe thickness of the shim 30 may increase the intensity of the opticalflares induced by the lens group 12 and increase the intensity of thenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations induced by the lens group12. The thickness of the shim 30 is the dimension along the opticalaxis. In one embodiment, the shim 30 may have a thickness of 0.012millimeters. In one embodiment, the shim 30 may have a thickness of atleast 0.012 millimeters. In other embodiments, the thickness may bevaried to produce the desired optical result. Increasing the thicknessmay increase the sine difference of the path length and increase theastigmatism of the system. A larger shim 30 thickness, and gap betweenthe lens elements 16 and 18, may increase the distance the light canreflect upon itself and create more flares.

The housing 14 may include the housing body 31 and a securing ring 32.The housing 14 may extend around the lens group 12 and the shim 30. Thehousing 14 may extend circumferentially around the lens group 12 and theshim 30. The housing 14 may serve to hold the cylindrical lens element16 to the cylindrical lens element 18. The housing body 31 may have acylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the shapemay be varied from that shown in FIG. 1.

The housing 14 may be configured to removably attach to anotherstructure, which may comprise a camera lens. The housing 14 may includean attachment device, which in FIG. 1 is shown in the form of a clamp 34and flexible portions or arms 44. The clamp 34 may be in form shown inFIG. 1, which may include eyelets 36 a, b, screw 38, axle 40 andtightening cam lever 42. The clamp 34 may be configured to be integralwith the housing 14, as shown in FIG. 1. The housing body 31 may includethe flexible portions or arms 44 that are moved by the clamp 34. Theflexible portions may be compressed against another structure, such as acamera lens to attach to the other structure. The attachment device mayallow the removable attachment 10 to be attached and removed to anotherstructure as desired by user operation.

The securing ring 32 attaches to the housing body 31 via screws 41 orrivets or the like. The securing ring 32 may press against the lensgroup 12 to hold the lens group 12 in position. The securing ring 32 mayinclude a lip 46 that mates with the recess 27 (marked in FIG. 8) of thecylindrical lens element 18.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the removable attachment 10. Theouter diameter of the housing 14 is larger than outer diameter of eitherof the cylindrical lens elements 16, 18.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross sectional view of the removableattachment 10 along line A-A of FIG. 2. The cylindrical lens elements16, 18 are visible positioned adjacent to each other with theirrespective planar lens surfaces facing each other. The positivecylindrical lens surface 20 of the cylindrical lens element 16 extendsfrom the front face 48 of the housing body 31. The negative cylindricallens surface 24 of the cylindrical lens element 18 is recessed relativeto the securing ring 32. The front face 48 of the housing body 31 mayhave a forward extending rim 50 to protect the positive cylindrical lenssurface 20 of the cylindrical lens element 16 from contact when theremovable attachment 10 is resting on a surface. An inner wall 52extends rearward from the front face 48 and encircles the cylindricallens elements 16, 18. An outer wall 54 of the housing body 31 extendsrearward from the outer periphery of the front face 48, and forms anouter surface of the housing body 31. The inner wall 52 and outer wall54 are separated from each other by a cavity 56. In addition, the outerwall 54 may form a cavity 58 for receiving the structure that theremovable attachment 10 attaches to, for example a camera lens or thelike. A housing of a camera lens may insert into the cavity 58. Theattachment device of the housing 14 may attach to the housing of thecamera lens when the housing of the camera lens is inserted into thecavity 58.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side exterior view of the removable attachment 10showing the housing 14.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the cylindrical lens element 16including the cylindrical lens surface 20 that is positive (convex withregard to the body of the lens element 16). Exemplary dimensions of thecylindrical lens element 16 are provided herein. It is to be understoodin other embodiments the dimensions may be varied. For example, thedimensions disclosed herein may be varied to capture in multipleformats, such as with mobile devices (e.g., cellular phones), or stillphotography camera systems, or other system. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, the positive cylindrical lens surface 20 may have a radius ofcurvature 60 corresponding to 1 diopter. The radius of curvature 60 maybe about 515 millimeters. A diameter 62 of the positive cylindrical lenssurface 20 may be about 76 millimeters. A diameter 64 of the planar lenssurface 22 may be about 81 millimeters. A thickness 66 of thecylindrical lens element may be about 9.5 millimeters. A thickness 68 ofthe cylindrical lens element 16 from the positive cylindrical lenssurface 20 to the edge of the recess 21 may be about 3.8 millimeters.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of the cylindrical lens element 16. Thepositioning feature 25 is shown on an outer edge of the cylindrical lenselement 16.

FIG. 7 illustrates a detail view of the positioning feature 25 shown inFIG. 6. Exemplary dimensions of the positioning feature 25 are providedherein. It is to be understood in other embodiments the dimensions maybe varied. A width 70 of the positioning feature 25 may be about 1.6millimeters. A depth 72 of the positioning feature 25 may be about 2millimeters.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the cylindrical lens element 18including the cylindrical lens surface 24 that is negative (concave withregard to the body of the lens element 18). Exemplary dimensions of thecylindrical lens element 18 are provided herein. It is to be understoodin other embodiments the dimensions may be varied. The negativecylindrical lens surface 24 may have a radius of curvature 74corresponding to 1 diopter. The radius of curvature 74 may be about 515millimeters. It is noted that the radius of curvature 74 of the negativecylindrical lens element 18 is the same as the radius of curvature 60 ofthe cylindrical lens element 16. A diameter 76 of the negativecylindrical lens surface 24 may be about 76 millimeters. A diameter 78of the planar optical surface 26 may be about 81 millimeters. Athickness 80 of the cylindrical lens element 18 may be about 9.5millimeters. A thickness 82 of the cylindrical lens element 18 from theedge of the negative cylindrical lens surface 24 to the edge of therecess 27 may be about 3.8 millimeters. A thickness 83 from the lowestportion of the negative cylindrical lens surface 24 to the planar lenssurface 26 may be about 8 millimeters. It is noted that the dimensionsof the cylindrical lens element 18 may be the same as those of thecylindrical lens element 16, aside from the direction of the respectiveradii of curvature 60, 74 differing in the two embodiments. Themagnification produced by the lens group 12 may be configured to notproduce any significant anamorphic compression. In one embodiment, thecompression may not exceed 1.09 for any axial direction. In otherembodiments, even lesser compression may be produced. The cylindricallens elements 16 and 18 may be configured to have the same structuralcharacteristics as each other, including the same radius, thickness, andsubstrate. In other embodiments, the structural characteristics of thecylindrical lens elements 16 and 18 may be varied from those shown inFIGS. 1-8 to produce a desired effect. The structural characteristics ofthe lens elements 16 and 18, however, may remain the same as each other,including the same radius, thickness, and substrate.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear view of the cylindrical lens element 18. Thepositioning feature 29 is shown on an outer edge of the cylindrical lenselement 18. FIG. 10 illustrates a detail view of the positioning feature29 shown in FIG. 9. Exemplary dimensions of the positioning feature 29are provided herein. It is to be understood in other embodiments thedimensions may be varied. A width 84 of the positioning feature 29 maybe about 1.6 millimeters. A depth 86 of the positioning feature 29 maybe about 2 millimeters. It is noted that the dimensions of thepositioning feature 29 may be the same as those of the positioningfeature 25. Referring back to FIG. 1, the respective positioningfeatures 25, 29 may serve to fix the cylindrical lens elements 16, 18 ina rotational position relative to each other. The cylindrical lenselements 16, 18 may be held in position relative to each other such thatthe powered axes of the cylindrical lens elements 16, 18 extend in thesame plane.

The removable attachment 10, and particularly the lens group 12, servesto induce non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations. The benefit ofsuch a design is to provide optical aberrations that appear similar tothose produced by a standard anamorphic lens arrangement. However, theremovable attachment 10 may not produce the image compression associatedwith anamorphic photography and may allow for filming or other imagecapture or viewing in a non-anamorphic mode. Such a feature may allowfor filming or other image capture or viewing in a non-anamorphic mode,while producing non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations that maybe desired by cinematographers, or photographic artists, or other users.For example, in one embodiment, the compression may not exceed 1.09 forany axial direction. In other embodiments, even lesser compression maybe produced. The magnification may be slight and does not result in anysignificant anamorphic compression.

The removable attachment 10, and particularly the lens group 12, mayinduce the non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in a sphericallens that does not have any optical aberrations. Such a lens may beidealized, but the lens group 12 is configured such that if a sphericallens does not have any optical aberrations, then the lens group 12positioned in line with such a lens will induce non-rotationallysymmetric optical aberrations in that spherical lens. As such, theremovable attachment 10 may be used as an overlay of a spherical lens,to induce the non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in aspherical lens. A user may be able to utilize a spherical lens that theymay already possess, and may place the lens group 12 in line opticallywith the spherical lens to produce the non-rotationally symmetricoptical aberrations. A user may be able to remove the removableattachment 10 from the spherical lens to remove the non-rotationallysymmetric optical aberrations induced by the lens group 12.

FIG. 11 illustrates an arrangement in which the removable attachment 10is removably attached to a spherical lens 88. The spherical lens 88 maybe coupled to a camera body 90 for capturing an image. The camera body90 may be used to capture on film or digitally, or through othermethods. The removable attachment 10, spherical lens 88, and camera body90 together comprise a camera system 92. The spherical lens 88 may beconfigured to serve standard functions of a lens, which may include zoomand focus. The spherical lens 88 may be a nominally built photographicobjective and may be configured to produce focused images for opticalcapture by the camera body 90.

The removable attachment 10 may be clamped to the end of the sphericallens 88, and particularly around the housing of the spherical lens 88.The removable attachment 10, and particularly the lens group 12 (markedin FIG. 1), may induce non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations inthe spherical lens 88. The resulting image may include suchnon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations, and may have ananamorphic appearance even though the camera body 90 continues to imagein a non-anamorphic mode. The removable attachment 10 may be removedfrom the spherical lens 88 to remove the non-rotationally symmetricoptical aberrations induced by the lens group 12. The user of the camerasystem 92 can thus select whether to include such non-rotationallysymmetric optical aberrations that are induced by the lens group 12.

FIG. 12 illustrates a rear view of a mobile device 94, which maycomprise a mobile phone, a mobile web browser, a global positioningsystem unit, a personal digital assistant, or the like, or combinationsthereof. Such devices may be referred to as an iPhone®, a SamsungGalaxy® or the like. Such devices now commonly include a camera system96, which may include a spherical lens 98 or the like.

FIG. 13 illustrates a detail view of the camera system 96 including theremovable attachment 10 positioned over the spherical lens 98. Theremovable attachment 10 may accordingly be scaled in size to fit on thespherical lens 98. Similar to the embodiment discussed in regard to FIG.11, the removable attachment 10 may be selectively positioned on thespherical lens 98. The resulting image may include non-rotationallysymmetric optical aberrations induced by the lens group 12, and may havean anamorphic appearance even though the camera system 96 continues toimage in a non-anamorphic mode. The removable attachment 10 may beremoved from the spherical lens 98 to remove the non-rotationallysymmetric optical aberrations induced by the lens group 12. Theremovable attachment may be configured to join to the mobile device 94or the spherical lens 98 via an attachment device that may includetemporary adhesives, or structures mounted or keyed to the shape of thebody of the mobile device 94, or other forms of attachment devices. Inother embodiments, the lens of the mobile device may not be a sphericallens, but may be an anamorphic lens. The removable attachment may coupleto the anamorphic lens in the same manner as coupling to the sphericallens. The removable attachment may serve to enhance the effect of theanamorphic lens. The removable attachment may conversely reduce theeffect of an anamorphic lens if rotated by 90 degrees, thereby negatingthe anamorphic effect of the anamorphic lens.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic of a spherical lens 100. The sphericallens 100 may be of a type utilized with the removable attachments andlens groups disclosed in this application. The spherical lens 100, forexample, may be configured similarly as the spherical lens 88 disclosedin regard to FIG. 11. In other embodiments, the configuration of thespherical lens 100 may be varied. The term lens used herein may refer tomultiple lens elements utilized in combination.

FIG. 15 illustrates the spot diagram analysis of the spherical lens 100.FIG. 16 illustrates a ray trace analysis of the spherical lens 100 ofFIG. 14. The removable attachments disclosed herein, and particularlythe lens groups disclosed herein, are configured to inducenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in a spherical lens suchas the spherical lens 100. The lens groups are configured to inducenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations including astigmatism,coma, and flare. The lens groups may induce non-rotationally symmetricoptical aberrations by producing an under-corrected state of sphericallens aberrations on the marginal ray. The over-corrected cylindricalaberrations may create elliptical out-of-focus characteristics, and maycreate horizontal flaring characteristics, such characteristics beingassociated with anamorphic photography or imaging. The lens groups maydecomposition corrections present in a spherical lens and may incorrectcorrections present in a nominally built photographic objective.

The removable attachments disclosed herein, and particularly the lensgroups disclosed herein, may also be configured to inducenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in an anamorphic lens.The same attachments and lens groups disclosed herein in regard tospherical lenses may also be utilized with anamorphic lenses. Theremovable attachments, and particularly the lens groups, may serve toenhance the effect of the anamorphic lens. The removable attachment mayconversely reduce the effect of an anamorphic lens if rotated by 90degrees, thereby negating the anamorphic effect of the anamorphic lens.

FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic of a lens group 102 utilized incombination with the spherical lens 100. The lens group 102 may beconfigured the same as the lens group 12, however, the lens group 102 isrotated 180 degrees relative to the object space 103 such that thenegative cylindrical lens surface 24 faces towards the object space 103and the positive cylindrical lens surface 20 faces away from the objectspace 103 and towards the spherical lens 100. The lens group 102 may beattached to the spherical lens 100 in a manner disclosed herein, forexample, by being part of a removable attachment that removably attachesto the spherical lens 100. Such removable attachment may includeclamping to a housing of the spherical lens 100. The lens group 102 ispositioned between the spherical lens 100 and the object space 103.

FIG. 18 illustrates the spot diagram analysis of the spherical lens 100utilized in combination with the lens group 102 as shown in FIG. 17. Thespherical lens 100 has the same structure as the spherical lens 100shown in FIG. 14. However, the lens group 102 has inducednon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in the spherical lens100.

FIG. 19 illustrates a ray trace analysis of the spherical lens 100utilized in combination with the lens group 102 as shown in FIG. 17. Asshown, the lens group 102 has induced non-rotationally symmetric opticalaberrations in the spherical lens 100. The degree of thenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations has increased, as shownbetween the comparison of FIGS. 15 and 16 with FIGS. 18 and 19. Enhancedcoma, astigmatism, and flares result. The anamorphic compression may notexceed 1.09 for any axial direction. In other embodiments, even lessercompression may be produced.

FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic of a lens group 104 utilized incombination with the spherical lens 100. The lens group 104 may includea cylindrical lens element 106 and cylindrical lens element 108.Cylindrical lens element 106 may include a negative cylindrical lenssurface 110 facing the object space 103, and a positive cylindrical lenssurface 112 facing opposite the object space 103. The cylindrical lenselement 106 comprises a cylindrical meniscus lens. The cylindrical lenselement 108 may include a negative cylindrical lens surface 114 facingthe object space 103, and a positive cylindrical lens surface 116 facingopposite the object space 103. The cylindrical lens element 108comprises a cylindrical meniscus lens. The radii of curvature of thelens elements 106, 108 may be different, and the lens elements 106, 108may have different thickness. However, the lens elements 106, 108 may beconfigured to have the same magnifications/dioptic power as each other.In other embodiments, other dimensions of lens elements 106, 108 may beprovided than shown in FIG. 20.

The lens group 104 may be attached to the spherical lens 100 in a mannerdisclosed herein, for example, by being part of a removable attachmentthat removably attaches to the spherical lens 100. Such removableattachment may include clamping to a housing of the spherical lens 100.The lens group 104 is positioned between the spherical lens 100 and theobject space 103.

FIG. 21 illustrates the spot diagram analysis of the spherical lens 100utilized in combination with the lens group 104 as shown in FIG. 20. Thespherical lens 100 has the same structure as the spherical lens 100shown in FIG. 14. However, the lens group 104 has inducednon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in the spherical lens100.

FIG. 22 illustrates a ray trace analysis of the spherical lens 100utilized in combination with the lens group 104 as shown in FIG. 20. Asshown, the lens group 104 has induced non-rotationally symmetric opticalaberrations in the spherical lens 100. The degree of thenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations has increased, as shownbetween the comparison of FIGS. 15 and 16 and FIGS. 21 and 22. Enhancedcoma, astigmatism, and flares result. The anamorphic compression may notexceed 1.09 for any axial direction. In other embodiments, even lessercompression may be produced.

FIG. 23 illustrates a schematic of a lens group 118 utilized incombination with the spherical lens 100. The lens group 118 may includea cylindrical lens element 120 and cylindrical lens element 122 and aspherical lens element 124. Cylindrical lens element 120 may include anegative cylindrical lens surface 126 facing the object space 103, and apositive cylindrical lens surface 128 facing opposite the object space103. The cylindrical lens element 120 comprises a cylindrical meniscuslens. The cylindrical lens element 122 may include a negativecylindrical lens surface 125 facing the object space 103, and a positivecylindrical lens surface 127 facing opposite the object space 103. Thecylindrical lens element 122 comprises a cylindrical meniscus lens. Theradii of curvature of the lens elements 120, 122 is the same. The radiusand thickness of the lens elements 120, 122 may be the same as eachother. The substrate may also be the same. The spherical lens element124 may include a positive spherical lens surface 129 facing the objectspace 103 and a planar lens surface 131 facing opposite the object space103. The cylindrical lens element 122 may be positioned between thecylindrical lens element 120 and the spherical lens element 124.

The lens group 118 may be attached to the spherical lens 100 in a mannerdisclosed herein, for example, by being part of a removable attachmentthat removably attaches to the spherical lens 100. Such removableattachment may include clamping to a housing of the spherical lens 100.The lens group 118 is positioned between the spherical lens 100 and theobject space 103.

FIG. 24 illustrates the spot diagram analysis of the spherical lens 100utilized in combination with the lens group 118 as shown in FIG. 23. Thespherical lens 100 has the same structure as the spherical lens 100shown in FIG. 14. However, the lens group 118 has inducednon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in the spherical lens100.

FIG. 25 illustrates a ray trace analysis of the spherical lens 100utilized in combination with the lens group 118 as shown in FIG. 23. Asshown, the lens group 118 has induced non-rotationally symmetric opticalaberrations in the spherical lens 100. The degree of thenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations has increased, as shownbetween the comparison of FIGS. 15 and 16 and FIGS. 24 and 25. Enhancedcoma, astigmatism, and flares result. The anamorphic compression may notexceed 1.09 for any axial direction. In other embodiments, even lessercompression may be produced.

FIG. 26 illustrates a schematic of a lens group 132 utilized incombination with the spherical lens 100. The lens group 132 may includea cylindrical lens element 134 and cylindrical lens element 136 and aspherical lens element 138. Cylindrical lens element 134 may include apositive cylindrical lens surface 140 facing the object space 103, and anegative cylindrical lens surface 142 facing opposite the object space103. The cylindrical lens element 134 comprises a cylindrical meniscuslens. The cylindrical lens element 136 may include a positivecylindrical lens surface 144 facing the object space 103, and a negativecylindrical lens surface 146 facing opposite the object space 103. Thecylindrical lens element 136 comprises a cylindrical meniscus lens. Theradii of curvature of the lens elements 134, 136 is the same. The radiusand thickness of the lens elements 134, 136 may be the same as eachother. The substrate may also be the same. The spherical lens element138 may include a planar spherical lens surface 148 facing the objectspace 103 and a negative lens surface 150 facing opposite the objectspace 103. The cylindrical lens element 134 may be positioned betweenthe cylindrical lens element 136 and the spherical lens element 138.

The lens group 132 may be attached to the spherical lens 100 in a mannerdisclosed herein, for example, by being part of a removable attachmentthat removably attaches to the spherical lens 100. Such removableattachment may include clamping to a housing of the spherical lens 100.The lens group 132 is positioned between the spherical lens 100 and theobject space 103.

FIG. 27 illustrates the spot diagram analysis of the spherical lens 100utilized in combination with the lens group 132 as shown in FIG. 26. Thespherical lens 100 has the same structure as the spherical lens 100shown in FIG. 14. However, the lens group 132 has inducednon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in the spherical lens100.

FIG. 28 illustrates a ray trace analysis of the spherical lens 100utilized in combination with the lens group 132 as shown in FIG. 26. Asshown, the lens group 132 has induced non-rotationally symmetric opticalaberrations in the spherical lens 100. The degree of thenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations has increased, as shownbetween the comparison of FIGS. 15 and 16 and FIGS. 27 and 28. Enhancedcoma, astigmatism, and flares result. The anamorphic compression may notexceed 1.09 for any axial direction. In other embodiments, even lessercompression may be produced.

The lens groups 102, 104, 118, 132 may each be utilized with a housing,such as the housing 14 disclosed in regard to FIGS. 1-4. Any of the lensgroups 12, 102, 104, 118, 132 may be part of a removable attachment. Theremovable attachments may be configured to rotate relative to the lensto which it is attached. The rotation of the removable attachment mayrotate the respective lens groups 12, 102, 104, 118, 132 relative to thelens to which it is attached, and may cause the direction of thenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations to vary. For example, thedirection of the non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations shown inFIGS. 18, 21, 24, and 27 may be varied, or rotated, as desired. For ahousing such as the housing 14 shown in FIGS. 1-4, the rotation may beallowed by simply loosening the clamp 34 and rotating the housing 14relative to the lens to which it is attached.

The non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations shown and describedin regard to FIGS. 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, and 28 are exemplary, andmay be varied in other embodiments. The non-rotationally symmetricoptical aberrations may be induced in a spherical lens that does nothave any optical aberrations. The non-rotationally symmetric opticalaberrations may be induced in a spherical lens that has opticalaberrations, such as the spherical lens 100 shown in FIG. 14.

The lens groups disclosed herein may satisfy optical conditions. Theoptical conditions are discussed in regard to the reference diagramshown in FIG. 29. The lens groups may each satisfy the followingequations, in which “x_(e),” “y_(e),” and “z_(e)” are the respective x,y, and z coordinates in the image space; “x_(e),” “y_(e),” and “z_(e)”are the respective x, y, and z coordinates in the object space; “m” isthe linear magnification; “M” is the angular magnification; f₀ is thefocal length of an objective; f_(e) is the focal length of an eyepiece;u_(pe), is the image height; u_(po) is the principal ray angle; and SFis the separation between a reference point (RO) at the front focalpoint (F₀) of the objective and a reference point (RE) at the rear focalpoint (F_(e)′) of the eyepiece. The equations are as follows:

x _(e) =mx _(o)=(x ₀ /M)  (1)

y _(e) =my _(o)=(y ₀ /M)  (2)

z _(e) =m ² z _(o)=(z ₀ /M ²)  (3)

m=−(f _(e) /f ₀)  (4)

M=−(f ₀ /f _(e))=(tan(U _(pe)))/(tan(U _(po)))  (5)

SF=2f _(e)+2f ₀=2(1−M)f _(e)=2(1−m)f ₀  (6)

FIGS. 30A, B illustrate an embodiment of a lens group 152 including acylindrical lens element 154 and cylindrical lens element 156. Thecylindrical lens elements 154, 156 may correspond to the cylindricallens elements disclosed in regard to lens groups 12, 102, 104, 118, 132,with the cylindrical lens element 154 corresponding to the cylindricallens element that is closer to the object space in those lens groups,and the cylindrical lens element 156 corresponding to the cylindricallens element that is further from the object space in those lens groups.In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 30a, b , the lens group 152 may beconfigured to produce similar non-rotationally symmetric opticalaberrations as disclosed in regard to lens groups 12, 102, 104, 118,132. However, the cylindrical lens elements 154, 156 are not fixed inrelation to each other, and may move rotationally about an optical axisrelative to each other, and may move axially along the optical axisrelative to each other. The cylindrical lens elements 154, 156 in anunrotated state are shown in FIGS. 31A, B and in a rotated state withaxial movement are shown in FIG. 32A, B.

The rotational and axial movement may be utilized to inducemagnifications in the images produced by the lens group 152. Inaddition, the shape and nature of the non-rotationally symmetric opticalaberrations may vary in response to the rotational and axial movement.

In one embodiment, the axial movement of the cylindrical lens elements154, 156 may not be utilized, and only rotation of the cylindrical lenselements 154, 156 may occur. The rotation may produce a magnificationchange without an axial movement.

In one embodiment, the lens groups disclosed herein may be utilized notto induce non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in a sphericallens, but may be used to correct aberrations present in a sphericallens. In an embodiment in which the spherical lens includesnon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations, the lens groups may beapplied thereon to reduce the effect of these non-rotationally symmetricoptical aberrations, and thereby correct the lens.

In one embodiment, any or all of the lens elements of the lens groupsdisclosed herein may be provided with coatings that vary thenon-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations produced by the lensgroups.

In one embodiment, the lens groups disclosed herein may not be providedas part of a removable attachment. Rather, the lens groups may beintegrated with a lens, such as a spherical lens, and may be positionedwithin the housing of such a lens. The lens groups may comprise apermanent element of such a lens.

In one embodiment, the lens groups disclosed herein may be utilized incombination with a cylindrical lens or anamorphic lens system, ratherthan a spherical lens. The cylindrical lens or anamorphic lens systemmay include non-rotationally symmetrical optical aberrations, and theuse of the lens groups herein may induce non-rotationally symmetricaloptical aberrations to increase or enhance the severity of thenon-rotationally symmetrical optical aberrations. Thus, enhancedaberrations associated with anamorphic lenses may be provided.

Any of the lens groups or removable attachments disclosed herein may beutilized in a system. The system may include a lens, which may be aspherical or anamorphic lens. The lens may be used as part of a camerasystem and may comprise a camera lens. The camera system may include afilming camera system (e.g., film or digital), a still photographycamera system, a camera system for a mobile device (e.g., a phonecamera), or other forms of camera systems. Any of the apparatuses ormethods disclosed herein may be utilized as part of a system.

The present disclosure includes methods of inducing non-rotationallysymmetric optical aberrations in a lens. The present disclosure alsoincludes methods of utilizing any of the lens groups or removableattachments disclosed herein. Any of the processes or steps disclosedherein may comprise a method within the scope of the present disclosure.For example, a method may include providing a removable attachmentincluding a lens group including at least two cylindrical lens elements,and a housing coupled to the lens group and configured to removablyattach to a lens such that the lens group is positioned between anobject space and the lens when the housing is attached to the lens. Amethod may include inducing, with the lens group, non-rotationallysymmetric optical aberrations in the lens.

In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the presentspecification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, oneskilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosedembodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subjectmatter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that thedisclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particularmethodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such,various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of thedisclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachingsherein without departing from the spirit of the present specification.Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope ofsystems, apparatuses, and methods as disclosed herein, which is definedsolely by the claims. Accordingly, the systems, apparatuses, and methodsare not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Certain embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods are describedherein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying outthe same. Of course, variations on these described embodiments willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading theforegoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employsuch variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for thesystems, apparatuses, and methods to be practiced otherwise thanspecifically described herein. Accordingly, the systems, apparatuses,and methods include all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the systems, apparatuses,and methods unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the systems,apparatuses, and methods are not to be construed as limitations. Eachgroup member may be referred to and claimed individually or in anycombination with other group members disclosed herein. It is anticipatedthat one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from,a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any suchinclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain thegroup as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markushgroups used in the appended claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic,item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in thepresent specification and claims are to be understood as being modifiedin all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about”means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, orterm so qualified encompasses an approximation that may vary, yet iscapable of performing the desired operation or process discussed herein.The term “same” means that the characteristic, item, quantity,parameter, property, or term so qualified encompasses an approximationthat may vary slightly, yet is capable of performing the desiredoperation or process discussed herein.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context ofdescribing the systems, apparatuses, and methods (especially in thecontext of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context. All methods described herein can be performedin any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwiseclearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, orexemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merelyto better illuminate the systems, apparatuses, and methods and does notpose a limitation on the scope of the systems, apparatuses, and methodsotherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the systems, apparatuses, and methods.

All patents, patent publications, and other publications referenced andidentified in the present specification are individually and expresslyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose ofdescribing and disclosing, for example, the compositions andmethodologies described in such publications that might be used inconnection with the systems, apparatuses, and methods. Thesepublications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to thefiling date of the present application. Nothing in this regard should beconstrued as an admission that the inventors are not entitled toantedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any otherreason. All statements as to the date or representation as to thecontents of these documents is based on the information available to theapplicants and does not constitute any admission as to the correctnessof the dates or contents of these documents.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. An attachment for use with a camera system, wherein the attachment comprises a lens group including at lens elements, the lens group being configured to induce non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in a lens of the camera system, and wherein the lens group is configured to be positioned between an object space and the camera lens.
 22. The attachment as recited in claim 21, wherein the lens elements are each symmetrical.
 23. The attachment as recited in claim 21, wherein the camera lens is spherical.
 24. The attachment as recited in claim 21, wherein the lens group is coupled to a housing, and wherein the housing is configured to attach to the camera lens.
 25. The attachment as recited in claim 21, wherein lens elements include a first lens element and a second lens element, and wherein the first lens element has a positive lens surface and the second lens element has a negative lens surface.
 26. The attachment as recited in claim 25, wherein the second lens element negative lens surfaces faces opposite the first lens element positive lens surface.
 27. The attachment as recited in claim 25, wherein each of the first and second lens elements include planar lens surfaces that are positioned towards one another.
 28. The attachment as recited in claim 25, wherein the positive lens surface of the first lens element faces the object space and the second lens element negative lens surface faces the camera lens.
 29. A camera lens system comprising: a camera lens that is nonanamorphic; and a removable attachment including: a lens group including at least two lens elements, the lens group being configured to induce non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations in the camera lens; and a housing coupled to the lens group and configured to removably attach to the camera lens with the lens group interposed between an object space and the camera lens.
 30. The camera lens system as recited in claim 29, wherein the at least two lens elements are each cylindrical lens elements, and wherein the camera lens is spherical.
 31. The camera lens system as recited in claim 29, wherein the lens group induces an anamorphic optical effect in the camera lens.
 32. The camera lens system as recited in claim 29, wherein the at least two lens elements include a first lens element and a second lens element, and wherein the first lens element has a positive lens surface and the second lens element has a negative lens surface.
 33. The camera system as recited in claim 32, wherein housing is configured to position the first lens element positive lens surface facing the object space and the second lens element negative lens surface facing the camera lens.
 34. The camera system as recited in claim 32, wherein the first lens element positive lens surface and the second lens element negative lens surface each have the same radius of curvature.
 35. A method for inducing an optical effect in a lens comprising: providing an attachment that includes a lens group connected with a housing, the lens group comprising lens elements, wherein the housing is configured to attach to a lens such that the lens group is positioned between an object space and the lens; and inducing, with the lens group, a non-rotationally symmetric aberration in the lens.
 36. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein the lens elements are cylindrical.
 37. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein the lens is spherical.
 38. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein the lens elements include a first lens element and a second lens element, and wherein the first lens element has a positive lens surface and the second lens element has a negative lens surface.
 39. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein first lens element positive surface is facing toward the object space.
 40. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein the non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations produce an anamorphic optical effect. 